Validation of Acquired Work Experience – V.A.E. – is the possibility of obtaining a diploma registered under the National Directory of Professional Certification (RNCP). The “Fashion Designer" Certification recognized by the State as Level II (in France) and Level 6 (EU) was registered in the National Directory of Professional Certification, by ministerial decree of 25 February 2016 published in the Official Journal on 17 March 2016.

Condition required:

The only condition for validating their experience is to justify at least 1 year of salaried, non-salaried, pro bono or voluntary work experience directly related to the certification concerned.

Please Note: The candidate may submit only one application in the same calendar year for the same diploma and three applications in the same calendar year for different degrees or diplomas.

In order to obtain the Certification, the candidate for a VAE must validate each of the certified skills, grouped for the “Fashion Designer” Certification into 4 skill blocks (indicated at the bottom of the page), through his/her previous work experience and/or training, where appropriate. Each skill block can be achieved individually. A certificate is awarded to the candidate for achieving each block. Achieving all 4 blocks results in Certification.

Step-by-step guide to the VAE procedure

There are several stages:

Phase 1:
Submitting your application
In order to apply, you must fill in the form Cerfa 12818*1 (downloadable here) and send it to us with the documents certifying the year of experience in the field of Certification:
ESMOD

Phase 2:
Preparation of the Record 2
Once your application has been considered admissible, the second step is the compilation of your Record 2. This is the file whereby the candidate will demonstrate they have acquired the skills required by the curriculum knowledge base for the diploma.
The applicant will have between 1 and 4 interviews with our academic tutors to verify which skills can be validated by work experience or, where appropriate, by previous education.
This Record 2 thus consists of:

An analysis of work situations that have been significant in the development of acquired knowledge in relation to the relevant certification.

A justification of learning achieved in work situations (whether or not professional) that enabled the building of skills, abilities and knowledge in ways other than through education.

Please note:
Following these interviews, ESMOD will provide you with an estimate if you need training in one or more skills. The candidate may choose training at ESMOD or any other institute of their choice.

Jury:
Once Record 2 is submitted, candidates will present their work to a jury of professionals. The chairperson of the jury will introduce the candidate to the members of this jury and will explain how the interview will be conducted – it will be in two stages:

the candidate’s oral presentation.

the discussion with the jury.

This is when the candidate presents their request for a VAE. They may use one or more media (PowerPoint, multimedia tools, etc.) or mention all the works likely to support their presentation, if the jury has previously agreed.
The members of the jury then question the candidate on the basis of their VAE file and their oral presentation.

The main purpose of the interview is to have candidates clarify certain aspects of their file and to deepen their analysis. It is by no means a test of the extent of their knowledge or a recruitment interview.

Following the interview with the candidate, the jury will deliberate on the contents of the file and matters arising from the interview. This will prompt discussion and the exchange of opinion between members of the jury.

In the event of partial validation, the candidate has the option of resubmitting a validation file on the missing skills to the jury within a maximum period of 5 years from the notification date of the jury’s decision. After that time, the entire procedure will have to be repeated.
Each skill block validated is validated for life.

The skills evaluated to obtain the Certification of “Fashion Designer" certified at Level II are as follows:

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Trend and brand image analysis

Knowing how to spot original designs and trends in fashion and design

Implementing sectoral watch strategies in order to spot original items of interest

Analysis of trends relating to the use of materials and textiles and to garment manufacturing techniques and piece production

Analysis of trends regarding color combinations and cut

Placing trends in artistic and creative movements within their geographic, historical and societal contexts

Defining and foreseeing changes in fashion and textile markets according to trends; defining styles to be integrated into collections

Analysis of a brand’s desired marketing and commercial positioning according to the management’s strategic guidelines

Study of the history of a brand through its designs and previous collections to understand its positioning and its values

Analysis of studies undertaken among brand customers so as to work on the image of the brand and its products